Burlington Athlete Charged in Bat Attack After Hockey Game

Updated at 6:37 p.m.: BURLINGTON, MA -- Burlington High School boys hockey head coach Bob Conceison said school officials were working to find additional volunteers to monitor the crowd that will file into TD Garden to watch the Red Devils in the state championship game on Sunday.

"It’s a shame that something like that happened," said Conceison. "We have a very enthusiastic crowd and a following that makes for great event. It's just very unfortunate to see an incident like this."

Original Story: Monday's North Division 1 boys hockey final between Winchester and Burlington triggered a violent incident with a bat that led to the arrest of a Red Devil baseball player.

CBS Boston first reported that after Burlington edged Winchester in a shootout, verbal jabs among the fan bases escalated into violence.

Winchester Police Lieutenant Peter MacDonnell confirmed to Patch that a vehicle driven by Burlington student Harrison Smoske followed the Sachem fans back to Winchester Town Common, where police said a group was waiting for him.

"Following the game, words were exchanged between Burlington and Winchester kids. It escalates to the point that items are thrown at both cars," said MacDonnell, referring to two cars, one with Winchester kids and one with Burlington students. "The Burlington kids followed the Winchester kids back to Winchester. When they get back to Winchester, there is a whole group of Winchester kids, about 30 to 40 kids, on Laraway Road and the confrontation continues and continues to escalate.'

The Winchester teenagers were allegedly throwing snowballs and possibly sticks at the Burlington car, according to MacDonnell.

"(That) served to infuriate the Burlington kids to the point that the Burlington kid got out of the car, went to his trunk, got a baseball bat and clubbed a Winchester kid in the head," said MacDonnell, who added that the alleged victim was also struck in the leg by Smoske.

According to MacDonnell, Smoske was arrested Tuesday night and arraigned Wednesday in Woburn District Court on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He was released, according to police, who also said the 17-year-old who was struck with the bat is "doing fine."

Burlington won the game at Lowell's Tsongas Center, 2-1, in a shootout to advance to a second straight state championship game on Sunday at TD Garden. Both crowds were vocal throughout the game, though it didn't appear there were any specific incidents in the crowds during the game.

Check back with Burlington Patch for more details as they become available.